Water Flossing 101: How To Use A Water Flosser & More (2024)

The Many Benefits Of Water Flossing

Last time I had a dentist appointment, we were going over my flossing habits when the hygienist asked me if I had ever used a water flosser. I hadn’t, but she had such great things to say about them that I went online and bought one that same day!

I’ve now been using a water flosser for several months, and I’ve been loving it so much that I simply have to tell you all about it! :-) In today’s post, I’ll give the scoop on what water flossers are and a bit about how they work. You’ll also learn how water flossing compares to string flossing, and whether a water flosser might be a good choice for you!

Water Flossing FAQs

What Is A Water Flosser?

A water flosser is a small machine that produces a thin jet of pulsing water. When aimed at your gums and teeth, the water can dislodge bits of food and plaque that may be lurking between your teeth. The water also helps stimulate your gums, which can help protect against gum disease!

How Does It Work?

But do water flossers work as well as string floss? From the research I’ve done, it appears the consensus is somewhere between “they’re equally as effective” and “one is only slightly more effective than the other.”

However, every dentist and hygienist on Earth would agree that any method of flossing is better than not doing it at all! And since many people (including myself!) find that they vastly prefer using a water flosser to using string floss, many dentists recommend them to their patients.

Related: 9 Ways To Use Floss When You’re In A Pickle

When Should I Use My Water Flosser?

There’s no right or wrong time to floss! But for me personally, I like to do it at the end of the day, before I brush my teeth. This way, the water flosser dislodges any bits of food that may have gotten stuck in my teeth during the day, then I brush away any remaining grime with my toothbrush!

My nightly floss-then-brush routine leaves my teeth feeling super clean, and my dental checkups have been great too! :-)

How To Use A Water Flosser

There’s a bit of a learning curve to using a water flosser, but once you get the hang of it, it’s easy! I use mine every day without fail, because it’s so quick and easy to do. Here’s how it’s done!

Step 1 – Add Water

Start by filling the water reservoir with lukewarm water. Avoid using cold water because it can easily aggravate sensitive teeth (and teeth with normal sensitivity, for that matter!)

Step 2 – Attach The Sprayer Tip

Next, you’ll choose a sprayer tip to use. Some types of water flossers come with different types of tips that are better for people with braces, gum disease, etc. If none of the special tips apply to your situation, choose the normal sprayer tip.

Step 3 – Floss

Put the tip of the flosser inside your mouth and turn it on. (DON’T turn it on before you’ve put it in your mouth, or the water will go everywhere!) Move the tip around your mouth, targeting your gums as well as the spaces between your teeth on both the front and back sides.

Most people hold their head above the sink while using the water flosser, keeping their mouth slightly open to allow the water to drip into the sink. (I personally prefer to close my lips around the tip and floss until my mouth is full of water, then I’ll pause briefly to spit it out. Either way works!)

Once you’re finished, simply turn the water flosser off and put it away. Easy!

Which Water Flosser Should I Get?

There are many different kinds of water flossers to choose from, with the Waterpik brand being the most notable. Several of their water flossers have been given the Seal of Acceptance from the American Dental Association, signifying that they are effective at reducing both plaque and gingivitis.

Here’s a quick look at the model I own, as well as a few other recommendations you may find helpful!

My Pick: Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 Professional Flossing Toothbrush
Price: $179.99

I recently upgraded to this model from an older cordless model, and I couldn’t be happier with it! I love that it has both a water flosser and an electric toothbrush together, like a little all-in-one oral hygiene station! :-)

This combination unit is an ideal solution for those with limited bathroom counter space. Its base measures about 5 x 5″ and it’s only 10″ tall, so it’s actually smaller than some water flossers that don’t include a toothbrush!

Best Water Flosser For At-Home Use: Waterpik Aquarius Water Flosser
Price: $79.15

This is the classic countertop model from Waterpik, and it comes at an affordable price. It does need to be plugged in to operate.

Best Water Flosser For Kids: Waterpik Water Flosser For Kids
Price: $49.99

This is a great kid-sized flosser that may actually get your kids to floss their teeth regularly! Plus it’s very affordable, which is a nice bonus.

Best Water Flosser On A Budget: Nicwell 4 Modes Dental Oral Irrigator
Price: $29.99

If affordability is your priority, check out this cordless water flosser from Nicwell! It offers all the features you could want and it’s perfect for travel.

I’ve really enjoyed using my water flosser, and my dental checkups have been better than ever because of it. I would definitely recommend one to anyone who has trouble remembering to use string floss as often as they should!

For more oral health and hygiene tips, check out:

• Want Strong, Healthy Teeth? Don’t Do These 7 Things
• Bad Breath Is No Match For These 11 Easy Fixes

Do you prefer string flossing or water flossing?